Page 46 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Well, it sounded as though you were very cosy there by the fire.’

‘Bloody hell! Is nothing private at all in this place?’

‘Nope, we’re just looking out for you. Don’t panic, I don’t have a webcam on you or anything.’

‘It wouldn’t surprise me.’

They both laughed.

‘Thank heavens for that.’ Em stood by the kettle as it came to a boil, ready to pour into the cafetière.

‘So, what next?’ Bev took a large bite of croissant.

Em brought the coffee across and a jug of hot milk. She took up the other stool.

‘Oh, I don’t know, Bev. I’m not even sure if I want a next. It still feels all wrong. Like I’d always be comparing him to Luke. When I kiss someone – it’s just not like Luke. I don’t know how I get around that.’

‘So, you’ve kissed!’ Bev clapped her hands together gleefully. ‘So … it’s not like Luke, but was it good?’

Em stayed quiet. Thinking about it, yes it was. But it felt wrong to admit it. ‘It was different,’ was all that she was prepared to say.

‘Different good, or different sloppy and awful?’ Bev needled away.

Emma really didn’t want to talk about this any more. She just gave her friend a sharp look.

‘Okay, sorry I asked.’

Em found herself smiling but then felt sad too. ‘In all honesty, Bev, I just don’t know if it’s worth all the bloody effort. It’s bound to just fizzle out. And then, there’s mention of a girlfriend. He says it’s all over, but I’ve heard that line before.’

‘Ah.’

‘Yeah, exactly. It just seems all too complicated.’

‘Life’s always complicated.’ Bev gave an understanding smile.

They both bit into their croissants.

‘Don’t I know it,’ Em smiled back.

‘But he did come back to find you. And he did say that was all over.’

‘Well, yeah …’ Em’s voice trailed.

‘Well then. So, do you think he’ll ring?’

Emma felt her heart give a little flutter. Now that was the million-dollar question.

It wasn’t just romantic woes that were on Emma’s mind; her struggling finances were at the forefront too. Business was usually a little slower at this time of year, and every quiet week put more pressures on the rent fund. Emma lived a pretty frugal life as it was, not spending much on clothes or shoes, keeping her food bill to a minimum, and she never took a holiday away (though she didn’t know where she’d head off to on her own, anyhow) so there weren’t many other places to make cutbacks. Even with the hotel and deli new business, unless she could improve her income further, she would soon be struggling, even with the Christmas season coming up.

Oh, and on top of those concerns, she hadn’t had a phone call or text from Max yet. Yes, it was still only the day after they’d met up, but he was there in her thoughts, along with the will he/won’t he call burning question.

The door clanged. Emma looked up, shaking herself from her financial-no-call-gloom.

‘Oh, hi, Holly.’ Now that was a lovely sunny smile to cheer up a grey day. ‘How are you?’

‘Good, thanks. Just off the bus.’

Blimey, was it that time already?